I woke up alone. The bed was still warm on Damien's side, but the penthouse was silent except for the faint hum of the city far below. No note. Not text. Just his scent on the pillow and the faint ache between my legs reminding me of last night.
I checked my phone. 7:42 a.m. No mess from him.
I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and stared at the walk-in closet across the room. Rows of new clothes still with taps. The key fob next to the credit card both mocking me with their quiet presence.
I laughed once, short and bitter. Then I got up, showered fast, and pulled on jeans and one of the new tops he had bought. Simple white blouse, nothing flashy. I wasn't trying to look expensive. I just wanted to feel like me.
It was a Saturday morning, so I decided to go to the diner for the shifts I had mi
